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If you want to protect your documents from creasing, moisture, and overall handling, a laminating machine may be the thing for you! By encasing your printed material between two sheets of transparent film, it effectively creates a long-lasting resource that you can reuse repeatedly. Often, you can use these for ID making, certificates, art prints, and many more!
That said, there are several factors you might want to consider for your new equipment. Aside from the speed by which it laminates, there are also types, runtime, and films galore! But worry not, because, in the article below, we listed down our top recommendations and a buying guide for you to pick the best laminating machine.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Whether it’s through heat or pressure, lamination generally uses the same materials: a layer of transparent film and a bonding agent. Printed material is then put in between two layers of film and pressed until the bonding agent joins them together. This then creates what’s effectively a hard outer covering to lengthen the life of your document.
Nowadays, lamination can be done on a variety of paper-based materials such as typewriting, certificates, and even photo paper. However, those with heavy textures cannot be laminated like cloth and canvas, as these are too thick to pass through the machine.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The type of laminator you use determines several other factors moving forward such as size limits and films they accept. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the main types of laminators to choose from.
Roll types are probably what you think of when talking about laminators. Big and bulky, they’re often found in larger organizations such as schools or printing shops. They’re well-loved for their flexibility, as they can accommodate the largest variety of sizes and laminate consecutive documents.
Just note that this item uses heat for the laminating process and is more prone to overheating. As such, it’s important to keep it in an open, well-ventilated environment to prevent fires and accidents. In addition, be sure about where you put it, as its larger size means that it will probably occupy that dedicated spot for a long while.
If you prefer your laminators small, a pouch type is perfect for you! This is best for people who only laminate for personal use or only occasionally, as well as those who’d need the technology on the go. Just remember that due to its smaller body, this type can only support a limited number of paper sizes.
Like roll types, pouch laminators use heat for the process. However, there are more steps required here. First, you encase a document inside adhesive-lined plastics called pouches. This is then placed inside the included protective covering before running it through the machine.
A fairly young technology, a cold laminator uses pressure and applied adhesive instead of heat. This innovation delivers high-quality lamination and a large size variety without the set-up time and hassle of heat-based laminators. In addition, because it functions at lower temperatures, there’s also less chance of damaging materials like inks and colors.
However, while the machine itself is inexpensive, replacement materials, such as the adhesive, tend to be on the pricier side. In addition, some models can only laminate one side of a graphic — a potential deal-breaker for office use, but otherwise great for making decals and stickers.
Laminating material, whether pouches or sheets, are measured in mils, which is a thousandth of an inch. In general, the higher the mil, the more rigid the finished product. For instance, a 3-mil film offers great protection for objects that are infrequently handled, such as posters.
On the other hand, if you want sturdier protection for day-to-day use, it’s best to use a 10-mil film. These produce a similar thickness to credit cards, so they’re perfect for luggage tags and IDs. Meanwhile, a 5-mil film is a good in-between as it provides a sturdy base, yet the document can still be folded and scored, such as in menus.
Your type of laminator also determines what films it accepts. A pouch type usually ranges from 3- to 10 mil. A roll type, on the other hand, typically only supports 1.5- to 3-mil. Meanwhile, a cold laminator accepts 3- to 5-mil films.
Laminating machines can be slow. To prevent the document from creasing, it has to slowly draw the sheet in. This also applies the adhesive more evenly for a smoother finish. Most low-end laminators have a speed of 12 inches per minute.
If you want faster speeds, there are options that incorporate a multiple-roller system. With the higher number of components, these products can go as high as 55 inches per minute without sacrificing quality.
These are best if you need to laminate multiple documents as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if you only use the machine occasionally, it’s best to stick to lower-speed laminators to save up on costs.
Laminators that use heat need a few minutes to warm up before being fully functional. Otherwise, the adhesive won’t stick, or you’ll have air bubbles across your document. That said, nobody wants to wait a long time for a machine to warm up, especially if the document that needs laminating is on a deadline.
Currently, the industry standard is five minutes. Unfortunately, you can’t leave the laminator turned on as this risks overheating. So, unless you want to repeatedly wait five minutes every time you need something laminated, we suggest getting models that have a warm-up speed of one minute.
Take note, though, that this feature tends to drive up the cost. In addition, the initial warm-up takes up a lot of wattages, so we recommend first checking your house’s maximum electrical load. This is to avoid any machine malfunction, or worse, a socket exploding and causing a fire.
Like any other piece of electronics, laminating machines can get hot. As such, they can’t run for too long before needing to turn themselves off and cool down. Otherwise, not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also melt the film in the machine, causing a jam.
Most laminators recommend a runtime of 20-30 minutes. However, to avoid accidents, we recommend checking the label for specific instructions. In addition, be sure not to use the laminator on a bed or carpet where heat builds up.
Laminators tend to jam, especially roll and pouch types. This typically happens when the machine is left on for too long, causing the film to melt and wrap around the machine. Similarly, inserting a laminating pouch from the wrong end can also lead to a jam. Not only is this a hassle, but trying to remove the stuck document can also lead to a fire.
Fortunately, newer models have features to resolve these issues like an anti-blocking system (ABS) and reverse mode. The ABS is commonly a button or lever that, once pressed, separates the rollers pressing against the document. This allows you to remove it more easily.
On the other hand, reverse mode tells the roller to spin in the opposite direction, effectively churning out the stuck document. Just remember that these methods are not perfect. In the worst cases, the laminator must be opened by a professional to solve the problem.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | CUYI Heavy Duty A3 Laminator | ₱2,899 High Mid | Laminate With Multiple Safety Options | ||
2 | QUAFF A3/A4 Hot and Cold Laminating Machine | ₱2,000 Mid | Get More Control With User-Customizable Features | ||
3 | Officom A4 Laminator|SL299 | ₱890 Low Mid | A 6-in-One Laminator for Multiple Uses | ||
4 | Teeda 6-in-1 Hot and Cold Laminator | ₱1,130 Low Mid | Great for Laminating Different-Sized Documents | ||
5 | Comix Laminating Machine|F9052 | ₱5,200 High Mid | Produces Consistent High-Quality Lamination | ||
6 | Starpoint Heavy Duty Laminator|LA-409A | ₱1,999 Mid | Best for Personal Use | ||
7 | Polaris Heavy Duty Laminator | ₱2,399 Mid | A Sturdy Machine That Can Last You a Long Time | ||
8 | Teeda Laminating Machine|TGS-1 | ₱588 Low | Features a Single Button for Easy Operation | ||
9 | Deli A4 Laminator|E2132 | ₱988 Low Mid | Upgrade Your Desk Setup With This Compact Laminator | ||
10 | SIGO LBS-750 | ₱5,000 High Mid | Start Your Laminating Business With This Large-Scale Machine |
CUYI takes the safety of their users seriously, and their laminators reflect this. Not only does it have an overheating protection feature, but it also has an auto-sleep timer that shuts down the machine after 45 minutes. In addition, it has a voltage protection circuit to prevent your machine from catching a short circuit.
Don't sneeze at its laminating prowess, either! With a speed of 25 inches per minute, it's one of the fastest laminators out there. Plus, an LCD panel displays all the options you can customize for you to get your desired output, such as temperature.
The many knobs and switches on the front of QUAFF's laminator may seem daunting at first, but a few uses of this product will make you appreciate them. They allow for more user customization than other machines, most notably, the temperature control. This lets you adjust how hot the device would be depending on the thickness and type of document you're laminating.
If you're worried about pumping up the heat too high, this product also features overheating protection. This will automatically shut down the machine once it detects dangerous temperatures. If the laminating plastic does melt, though, a push of its reverse mode button will make cleanup a lot easier.
Officom's laminating machine sports a sleek and modern design that makes it look at home in professional settings. But it doesn't end there! With six separate functions built-in, this product fills several of your needs all in one nifty product.
For instance, its metal body doubles as a cutting guide for you to measure accurately. In addition, its blade can cut in three distinct styles: straight, wavy, and perforated. Aside from that, if you just want to spruce up your IDs or plastic cards, a detachable corner cutter lets you round off the edges.
This machine is great for both hot and cold lamination. The only thing that sets it back, though, is its limited input size. Accepting only A4 size and below means that you won't be able to laminate any large-scale projects with this machine.
Like the aforementioned Officom Laminator, this product also incorporates the same multi-feature system. The only difference is that it can also support A3 sizes. This allows you more flexibility with what you can laminate, though a larger space is required for this.
It's also slightly slower than its smaller counterpart at a speed of 10 inches per minute. Warmup also takes a bit longer at 3 to 5 minutes. Although this is not a deal-breaker, it's best to choose whether you prioritize speed or input size when considering this product.
The Comix F9052 sports a 4-roller system to evenly apply heat and pressure to your documents. This lessens the chances of bubbles and creases, ultimately producing high-quality laminations.
It's also user-friendly, with detailed buttons easily conveying their use. Additionally, what it lacks in temperature control, it makes up for with dedicated mil settings to optimize its hot or cold modes. This ensures that you'll be getting the best output at whatever temperature the machine is operating in.
If you want to laminate your documents at home, the Starpoint LA-409A is just the tool for you! Small, light, and fast, this machine is not only portable, it also provides a smooth laminating experience. It's also easy to use, as it only requires a press of a button to operate.
The downside, though, is that it lacks any form of temperature control. Similarly, its small film thickness and laminating size mean that the documents you can laminate are limited. So, be sure to check whether your files fit this machine before adding to cart.
Polaris' expertise in making durable products is evident in their laminating machine. It can excellently dissipate and distribute heat, making this a good choice if you want continuous lamination. In case of overheating, it will automatically shut down after reaching 95% of its maximum temperature.
However, its heat management comes at the cost of efficiency. Users will sometimes have to run the same document 3-4 times before the adhesive fully binds the pouch. Fortunately, though, its speed of 22 inches per minute makes the process somewhat quicker.
Sporting only a single on/off button, the Teeda TGS-1 embodies the definition of plug-and-play. Essentially, all you have to do is turn the machine on and wait until its indicator light tells you that it's ready for use. Then, just feed it your documents and let its laminating abilities happen.
Just take extra precaution during lamination, as misalignments can get them snagged at the corners. Fortunately, the machine's internal jam release function makes these issues an easy fix. Just turn the device off, and you can then safely pull out your documents.
With a length of only 33 centimeters, the Deli E2132's small body makes it a perfect addition to your desk setup. The defining feature of this product is its use of constant temperature that creates a smooth, even finish, as long as it's properly warmed up first.
This product is also user-friendly. Features like a dedicated quick-reverse button make this forgiving in case of paper jams. In addition, an auto-feed function allows you to simply place your document in the inlet, and the machine will pull it forward on its own.
The SIGO LBS-750 is one of the largest laminators you can get. Supporting up to 740 millimeters, this product can laminate even A1 and A2 sizes! This makes it perfect for starting a laminating business, as long as you don't mind a little manual labor.
This is because unlike other laminators, this one is powered by a side crank that you turn until you get your desired finish. Also, unlike traditional roll types, it only uses cold lamination to protect delicate materials from heat. Fortunately, it does an excellent job at applying pressure, so documents often need to be passed through only once to get a clear lamination.
Just note that while it has a foldable design, this is still a cumbersome product to move around. As such, we recommend a dedicated space where you can keep this product indefinitely.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
A cloudy finish often means that the temperature is too low or the document is too thick. One way to resolve this is to pass your document through the laminator a couple more times. Otherwise, you either have to raise the temperature of the machine or get a thinner laminating sheet.
Most likely, this is caused by setting your laminator's temperature too high. If your machine allows it, try reducing the heat by a few degrees. You can also try passing a sheet of paper while it's off to help cool it down.
This happens when your document is too close to the edge of the laminating sheet to produce a strong seal. As such, use a smaller sized paper, preferably with a 2-3 millimeter allowance from the sheet's edges.
Laminating machines are a great way to secure your documents. However, you may want a dedicated space to store them, not just for further protection, but to improve your workspace as well. No more searching the house to find that one specific file - check out these articles below and get organized!
Author: Dane Lozano
Editor: R. Umlas
No. 1: CUYI|Heavy Duty A3 Laminator
No. 2: QUAFF|A3/A4 Hot and Cold Laminating Machine
No. 3: Officom|A4 Laminator|SL299
No. 4: Teeda|6-in-1 Hot and Cold Laminator
No. 5: Comix|Laminating Machine|F9052
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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